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The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an annual series of poetry readings and special events. Since its founding, the Academy has awarded more money to poets than any other organization.

R. Zamora Linmark is the author of Drive-By Vigils (Hanging Loose Press, 2011), The Evolution of a Sigh (Hanging Loose Press, 2008), and Prime Time Apparitions (Hanging Loose Press, 2005), as well as two novels. He has received grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, San Francisco Arts Commission, and the U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission.

On Silence

Is it the Garcia Lorca kind
faithful as a cricket's
tune about a boy fishing
in a pool of rainwater
for his lost voice
praying it'll sing back
so he can wear it
on his finger again
like a wedding ring?
Maybe it's the anti-parakeet
Nicanor Parra kind
remorseful as a memoir
that survived four wars
half a dozen sexually
transmitted depressions
insomnia-
inspired hallucinations
and a dedication to
its remaining readers
last count forty-five
asking them to burn each page
upon reading memories
it had tried to capture
unless it's the Paz kind
not Paz-be-with-you of olden
days difficult now
to digest Paz or any Zense
of peace without Belano or Bolaño
pearly-gate-crashing in an Impala
slingshooting saints out
of their poses harping
on angels reciting bad poetry
aloud anything to disturb
the last of the angry gods'
siesta atop a mountain of ashes
once rich without meaning.

R. Zamora Linmark

R. Zamora Linmark is the author of Drive-By Vigils (Hanging Loose Press, 2011), The Evolution of a Sigh (Hanging Loose Press, 2008), and Prime Time Apparitions (Hanging Loose Press, 2005), as well as two novels. He has received grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, San Francisco Arts Commission, and the U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission.

by this poet

Sunday after Mass the priest behind
the screen prescribes three Our Fathers
ten Hail Marys three Glory Be’s
for dropping ecstasy laced with cocaine
Friday cybersexing all night Saturday
with Hot&Horny35 from Denmark blond
blue-eyed swimmer’s body in search of Asian
or Latin American bottom it must’ve been